LAKEPORT -- A judge Monday granted prosecutors' request to drop the manslaughter charge against a Middletown man who allegedly caused a fatal crash south of Hidden Valley Lake last spring after choking on beef.

Judge Michael S. Lunas made the decision after senior deputy district attorney John Langan said the Lake County DA's Office wanted to dismiss the case against Adam Joseph Norton "in the interest of justice."

Norton, who appeared at the Lake County Courthouse Monday morning, was "relieved" after the dismissal, according to his public defender, Jay Boslin. "He felt there was no negligence," Boslin said.

Norton reportedly told authorities he swerved into oncoming traffic on Highway 29 south of Hidden Valley Lake after choking on a piece of tri-tip.

Marks, 60, was approaching in the opposite direction and could not avoid the crash, according to the California Highway Patrol. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Langan contended the highway collision was clearly caused by distracted driving but noted that prosecuting the case could have proved especially difficult because the distraction wasn't the result of an act specifically outlawed, such as using a cellphone.

As a result, Lake County DA Don Anderson determined "the likelihood of conviction was very low," according to Langan. "These can be very difficult cases to win, and we have to be mindful of that," Langan added.

Monday marked Norton's third court appearance in the case. He faced up to one year in county jail if convicted.

Jeremy Walsh is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636, ext. 37 or jwalsh@record-bee.com. Follow his court coverage on Twitter, @JeremyDWalsh or #Lakecourt.